TALE XXXIX.

OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND

MAN.

THE Roman annals say, such discord existed between two brothers, that one of them maliciously laid waste the lands of the other. The emperor Julius (37) having heard of this, determined to punish the offender capitally. The latter, therefore, understanding what was meditated, went to the brother whom he had injured, and besought forgiveness; at the same time requesting that he would screen him from the emperor's vengeance. But they who were present at the interview, rebuked him, and declared that he deserved punishment not pardon. To which he made the following reply. "That prince is not worthy of

regard who in war assumes the gentleness of a lamb, but in peace puts on the ferocity of a lion. Although my brother should not incline towards me, yet will I endeavour to conciliate him. For the injury I did him is sufficiently avenged in my repentance and bitterness of heart." This view of the case appeased the emperor, and restored peace between himself and his brother.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, these two brothers are the sons of God and man; between whom there s discord as often as man commits a mortal in. The emperor is God.

* "In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man, As modest stillness and humility:

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

Then imitate the action of the tiger."

SHAKSPEARE, Hen. V. Act III. Sc. 1.

TALE XL.

OF THE MEASURE OF TEMPTATION, AND OF SKILL.

MACROBIUS relates, (38) that a certain soldier, in consequence of something he had witnessed, suspected his wife of transferring her affections from himself to another. He interrogated her on the subject, but she vehemently and loudly denied it. Not satisfied with her asseverations, the soldier enquired for a cunning clerk; and having

wanted, he proposed to

found such as he

him the question.

which disturbed his rest. The clerk answered, "Unless I am permitted to see and converse with the lady, I cannot take upon me to decide." "I pray you, then," said the soldier, "dine with me to-day, and I will give you

the opportunity you require." Accordingly the clerk went to the soldier's house to dinner. The meal being concluded, our clerk entered into conversation with the suspected lady, and spoke to her on various topics.

This done,

he took hold of her hand; and, as if accidentally, pressed his finger upon her pulse. Then, in a careless tone, adverting to the person whom she was presumed to love, her pulse immediately quickened to a surprizing degree, and acquired a feverish heat. By and by the clerk mentioned her husband, and spoke of him in much the same way as he had done of the other; when the motion of her pulse abated, and its heat was entirely lost. Whereby he plainly perceived that her affections were alienated; and, moreover, that they were placed upon the very person respecting whom she had been accused. Thus, by the management of a learned clerk, the soldier ascertained the truth of his suspicion.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the soldier is Christ, who, having warred in our behalf against the devil, was joined to the soul in baptism, which is emblemed by the wife. That wife too often regards another that is, the world. As the motion of the pulse revealed the lady's attachment, so does the beating of the heart, our love of worldly vanities.

TALE XLI.

OF THE CONQUESTS AND CHARITY OF OUR

LORD.

COSDRAS, king of the Athenians, (39) having declared war against the Dorians, assembled